Archuleta County has opted out of the annual Big Spring Clean event this year.
Archuleta County Public Works Director Mike Torres spoke at a work session held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Tuesday, March 18, explaining current working phases and cell expansion plans at the county landfill.
Torres explained that, due to the work planned at the landfill, he suggested the county and Town of Pagosa Springs postpone this year’s Big Spring Clean event until 2026, once the work at the landfill is completed.
Torres explained that trash is currently being put in cell 4A, and that “there’s overburden from phase two, phase three and part of the trash that’s overburden is in the next upcoming construction of cell 4B.”
According to a press release from Archuleta County, “The landfill expansion project involves excavation of approximately 172,550 cubic yards of earthen material, including an estimated 92,000 cubic yards of previously disposed waste. This material must be relocated to the active cell, temporarily reducing the landfill’s capacity for refuse disposal and making the hosting of the Big Spring Clean event impractical.”
During the work session, Torres mentioned, “That’s just an estimation right now,” noting it’s difficult to estimate what is actual trash and what is dirt.
“With that, my recommendation is going to be for the town and the county to hold off on the Big Spring Clean event until 2026,” he said, explaining that would allow enough time for the completion of cell 4B to have enough space required for these types of cleanup events.
Torres also suggested that the county hold off on other volunteer roadside cleanup events until 2026 as well.
For a reference, Torres compared the amount of trash being excavated to the size of eight football fields with dimensions of 120 yards long, 53 yards wide and 10 feet high.
“Just something to consider,” he said.
Commissioner John Ranson asked if the county had met with the town in regard to postponing the event.
Torres explained he met with Tourism Director Jennifer Green, who indicated the matter would be brought to the town council.
County Manager Jack Harper indicated that the town also wishes to postpone the event.
Commissioner Veronica Medina clarified by asking if the town and county were “on the same page.”
Ranson commented that he was “disappointed” to lose the event this year, but understands the needs at the landfill.
Medina commented that the community is not “losing” the event, but postponing to have a better plan for 2026.
Medina mentioned this is a “good time to recalibrate” in order to offer a better event next year.
The BoCC unanimously approved opting out of the event for this year during its regular meeting later in the day.
The county’s press release also states, “Both the Town of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County staff are committed to resuming the Big Spring Clean event in the spring of 2026.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
